Chandrayaan-3 rover discovers sulfur near the south pole of the moon : ISRO
ISRO confirmed that Chandrayaan discovered Sulphur and many more elements on moon.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has once again made significant strides in lunar exploration with its Chandrayaan-3 mission, unveiling fascinating insights into the composition of the lunar surface. The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument, developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS)/ISRO in Bengaluru, has played a pivotal role in this endeavor. This breakthrough marks a historic milestone in space science and paves the way for deeper understanding of our celestial neighbor.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, a successor to its predecessors Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, aims to expand our understanding of the Moon’s surface composition and geological features. The LIBS instrument, mounted aboard the mission’s rover, has achieved a significant first: confirming the presence of sulfur (S) in the lunar soil near the Moon’s south pole. This groundbreaking discovery has been made possible through the LIBS instrument’s in-situ measurements, offering researchers an unprecedented opportunity to study the Moon’s chemical makeup.
LIBS works on a fascinating principle: it uses a powerful laser to generate a plasma on the lunar surface, which emits light at characteristic wavelengths as it cools down. By analyzing this emitted light, scientists can determine the elements present in the target area. In the context of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the LIBS instrument has been able to detect not only sulfur but also a host of other elements, including aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O). These findings align with previous expectations and models of lunar surface composition.
One particularly intriguing aspect of this mission is the ongoing search for hydrogen (H) on the lunar surface. Hydrogen plays a crucial role in our understanding of the Moon’s formation and evolution, as it can be linked to the presence of water ice in permanently shadowed regions. While the confirmation of hydrogen is still underway, its potential discovery could have profound implications for our understanding of lunar resources and future space exploration endeavors.
Chandrayaan-3 Mission:
— ISRO (@isro) August 29, 2023
In-situ scientific experiments continue …..
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument onboard the Rover unambiguously confirms the presence of Sulphur (S) in the lunar surface near the south pole, through first-ever in-situ measurements.… pic.twitter.com/vDQmByWcSL
The ISRO scientists also revealed through the article that while the search for hydrogen is ongoing, aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen have all been found as expected. Sulfur had already been discovered on the moon in various regions, but not on the south pole, a scientist told TNIE. The researcher clarified that surface investigations are required since sulphur samples cannot be collected by an orbiter rotating around the moon.
“Sulphur has been discovered by the US, China, and Russia, but it was not anticipated on the south pole. It is thought that sulphur, a brand-new element, is present in rocks. And the earliest rock formation is thought to be at the South Pole. Sulfur cannot therefore exist there. As a result, speculations about what might have happened have emerged, including the possibility of a meteorite or anything else. For scientists, this discovery has generated further questions. Studies will shortly begin, and this is now under discussion. For everyone, it is a fascinating and inquisitive discovery, the expert said.
